Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Miscommunication Delays Asian Games Flag-Hoisting Ceremony Over An Hour
A welcome ceremony for six Asian Games teams started much later than planned.
The teams waited at the venue and were then asked to return to a resting area.
Organisers first said there was a problem with a team.
Later, they said the real reason was poor communication between two organising groups.
One official also mentioned that the chief guest arrived late.
Organisers said the delay was not caused by a political issue involving Chinese Taipei.
Indian officials watched the confusion, and some eventually left.
The incident raised more concerns about how the Games were being organised.
The Asian Games flag-hoisting ceremony was delayed by more than an hour on Friday.
Organisers later blamed miscommunication between the Olympic Council of Asia and the local organising committee.
The contingents of Yemen, North Korea, Palestine, India, Chinese Taipei and Timor-Leste were affected.
Organisers initially cited an unexplained problem and later said the chief guest’s delayed arrival may have contributed.
The disruption added to complaints about delayed and cramped accommodation for athletes.
- Who
- The Olympic Council of Asia, the local organising committee, and the contingents of Yemen, North Korea, Palestine, India, Chinese Taipei and Timor-Leste.
- What
- A flag-hoisting welcome ceremony was delayed for more than an hour.
- When
- Friday; the ceremony was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Japan time.
- Where
- Garden Pier, near the athletes’ container-style lodging.
- Why
- Organisers ultimately attributed the delay to miscommunication between the Olympic Council of Asia and the local organising committee, although an official also cited the chief guest’s late arrival.
Organisers’ explanation
Concerns and alternative explanations
Cause of the delay
Organisers’ explanation
The local organising committee said poor communication with the Olympic Council of Asia caused the disruption.
Concerns and alternative explanations
Another organising official said the chief guest’s delayed arrival had caused the delay, while the contingents and media were left waiting without an immediate explanation.
Possible political issue
Organisers’ explanation
Organisers repeatedly denied that the delay involved Chinese Taipei or any political issue.
Concerns and alternative explanations
International media questioned whether a political issue was involved because the initial explanation was unclear and the delay lasted more than an hour.
Event management
Organisers’ explanation
The ceremony eventually resumed and the flags were hoisted.
Concerns and alternative explanations
The prolonged waiting, changing explanations and accommodation complaints raised concerns about the event’s organisation.
- Scheduled start
- 1:30 p.m. Japan time
- Delay
- More than one hour
- Affected contingents
- Yemen, North Korea, Palestine, India, Chinese Taipei and Timor-Leste
- Venue
- Garden Pier
- Official explanation
- Miscommunication between the Olympic Council of Asia and the local organising committee
- Indian officials present
- Sahdev Yadav, A. Sharath Kamal, Lijo David Thottan, Alaknanda Ashok and Anjali Bhagwat
- Additional organisational concerns
- Athletes had complained about delayed and cramped lodging facilities